Chantal Wells is a superhero of a different dimension. When faced with fear, she elected to choose hope and then turned that experience into an opportunity to help and serve others with her organization, Adeline's Aid - dedicated to helping mothers on bedrest. Adeline's Aid is hosting a FREE fundraiser at 2PM on April 2nd at Manchester Meadows Park (337 E. Mt. Gallant Road, Rock Hill)
Macaroni KID had the opportunity to hear Chantal's story and wanted to share it with you. Not only is Chantal a local Fort Mill Mom, but she's serving the greater Charlotte area through her organization, Adeline's Aid. Check out her story, in her words, below.
On June 4th 2020 my husband, twin two-year-olds and I all tested positive for coronavirus. I was 26 weeks pregnant.
Everyone fared well except for me. June 14th at 1 am I woke up to my water breaking. The doctors assumed my body decided to hit the "eject" button on baby Adeline at 27 weeks pregnant. I woke up to a gush of water in bed at 1am. I called and the doctor ordered me straight to labor and delivery at a Level IV (the highest) NICU. I truly was in denial and thought I was being a hypochondriac, but even though I was covid positive they insisted it was urgent I get there asap.
After a bunch of tests, steroids, antibiotics, blood thinner shots and tears I was put in isolation and would remain like that until I tested negative for covid. I was one of the first patients in Charlotte, NC to be in early preterm labor and have covid. There was so much to learn about PPROM (preterm premature rupture of membranes) I had no idea it existed.
Having doctors call you (since they wanted to minimize contact) and tell you all the worst-case scenarios about you and your baby is terrifying, and what is worse is hearing it whilst being alone. The hospital and doctors weren't sure exactly how to deal with the situation. Thankfully my symptoms had subsided but "was I still contagious? "was the big unknown. They were flying through PPE taking care of me. Even if a pen came into my room it had to remain there.
I continued to test positive for Covid. After ten days in isolation and four brain-tickling covid tests, I finally tested negative and was moved to high-risk maternity to remain on bed rest and be closely monitored. I managed to stay pregnant a total of three weeks until I woke up early on July 5th to my placenta abrupting, and the world around me started moving quickly. Thankfully Josh, my husband, was staying there with me the night before so he was right by my side. Two hours later Adeline Rose Wells was born and whisked away.
Josh went over to meet her and take some videos for me to see our sweet girl. She somehow looked bigger than I had expected with a full head of black hair. Several hours later I got to meet her and I was in love. She was tiny and struggling to keep her lungs open so she was intubated. But soon she transitioned to bubble Cpap and then finally room air. Next, I was reunited - after what felt like an eternity - with Will and Eli, my twins at home, a moment I will never forget.
But quickly my emotions turned, trying to navigate making up lost time with the twins and being at the hospital with Adeline was so hard. Covid changed our family's life beyond measure. I carried my twins to full term three years ago and was induced, hence the shock of our singleton. After my placenta study, they are fairly certain covid is what caused my preterm labor. Adeline was born with a hole in her heart which has shrunk in size small enough to not need surgery, thankfully, and she has severe progressive hearing loss in her right ear due to unknown causes at this stage, therefore she wears a hearing aid.
Those three and a half weeks on bedrest and seven weeks in the NICU significantly changed our lives. The community supported us tremendously, often strangers. I am originally from South Africa and did not have a large support system prior to our experience, however now I have made so many wonderful and loving friends. In honor of our experience, I would like to offer that same love and support to mothers in preterm labor and families in the NICU and to raise awareness.
Adeline's Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides support to high-risk pregnant patients in preterm labor and NICU families. We currently assist four local hospitals. We recently gave out our 100th bed rest basket and our goal is to increase our funds so we can support more families with gas and food gift cards, mani/pedi's to moms on bed rest, maternity and NICU photography and 1 house cleaning certificate to remove that burden from mom and to ensure their home is ready for their sweet baby. We are big advocates for women's mental health. According to studies, the chances of antepartum depression during a high-risk pregnancy is almost 50%. Pair that with the common NICU stay following preterm labor and that statistic increases some more.
My biggest advice to other moms is to ask for help. It doesn't make you weak. Asking for help shows courage. We are stronger together, it definitely takes a village. When I was on bed rest I was forced to let go of all control and accept everyone's gracious help and support. It definitely was God's divine intervention showing me the importance of self care and that I can better help others if I ensure I take care of myself too.
We have a fun free Easter event on April 2nd and we would love to have the community come out and support our cause. (flyer attached)
I currently live in Fort Mill but I am often in Charlotte and always open to coffee, playdates, zoom calls or whatever you have in mind. If you have been in a similar situation and need support, please reach out. If you have ideas, advice or want to get involved I would love to hear from you too. Check out our website or get social with us on Facebook or Instagram
